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Moorhead to start building sandbag dikes next week

Moorhead city officials said Thursday that sandbag dike construction will start next week, although the Red River hasn't started flooding yet.

Even so, Moorhead City Manager Michael Redlinger said an early methodical approach to flood fighting gives a better chance for success.

"What we're going to focus on is making sure that people have the time to construct these [dikes] so it's not rushed," Redlinger said.

Redlinger said the city plans to deliver sandbags to about 300 homeowners starting on March 24, if weather stays warm. The city is also calling for volunteers starting next Thursday to help build those sandbag dikes.

"We know the weather is going to be the wild card, it always is," Redlinger said. "But we have to do everything we can to prepare in advance to make sure we're ready to go."

Work will start on six earthen levees in Moorhead as soon as this weekend.

The National Weather Service is expected to release a new flood forecast next Thursday.